Chief Justice of New Zealand

Updated on Nov 16, 2023

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Style The Right Honourable First holder Sir William Martin		Formation 5 February 1841

Nominator Prime Minister of New Zealand Appointer Governor-General of New Zealand Term length No set term, though retirement is mandatory at age 70

The Chief Justice of New Zealand (in Māori: Te Kaiwhakawā Tumuaki o Aotearoa) is the head of the New Zealand judiciary, and presides over the Supreme Court of New Zealand. Before the establishment of the latter court in 2004 the Chief Justice was the presiding judge in the High Court of New Zealand and was also ex officio a member of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand. The office is established by the Judicature Act 1908.

The Governor-General of New Zealand appoints the Chief Justice on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The Chief Justice acts in place of the Governor-General if one has not been appointed or if the appointee is unable to perform his or her duties. When acting in place of the Governor-General, the Chief Justice is known as the Administrator of the Government.

Chief Justices

Hon. Sir William Martin (1841–1857)

Hon. Sir George Arney (1858–1875)

Hon. Sir James Prendergast GCMG (1875–1899)

Rt Hon. Sir Robert Stout GCMG (1899–1926)

Hon. Sir Charles Skerrett KCMG KC (1926–1929)

Rt Hon. Sir Michael Myers GCMG KC (1929–1946)

Rt Hon. Sir Humphrey O'Leary KCMG KC (1946–1953)

Rt Hon. Sir Harold Barrowclough KCMG CB DSO MC ED (17 November 1953–1966)

Rt Hon. Sir Richard Wild GBE KCMG QC (18 January 1966–January 1978)

Rt Hon. Sir Ronald Davison GBE CMG QC (3 February 1978 – 4 February 1989)

Rt Hon. Sir Thomas Eichelbaum GBE QC (6 February 1989 – 16 May 1999)

Rt Hon. Dame Sian Elias GNZM PC QC (from 17 May 1999)

References

Chief Justice of New Zealand Wikipedia

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